T 

MEPDE 

Z 3 
H8358 

opy 1 






Q 


1 1899 ^ 


> 




% ■ 
f - -' • 



BY CORA E. HOWE. 


jJv-'tj.V... 



I 





M * 






Al 





.<!>V 


y * 


y;< civ --.^ 


’'S-' >if5 ' WfS 






i: -• ^ T * -VL. AVi ■ * ^ - -i.* 




' . . r. 

fe 














THE 


Pilgrims^ Christmas 


KY 



CORA E. HOWE 

?» 

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. 



Ruthop of 

“The Mission of a Little Easter Bud" and 
“The Work of Grace." 


IF’irst Ed-itioan., 3.0,000 



NEWS BOOK PRINT, SANDY CREEK, N. Y, 
1899 


/ i 


V 1/ 0 

nX-’ ■ 


X 



Copyright, 1890 
By Cora E, Howk 


SECOND COPY, 

^ 0 o 


“to the Y’S of AMERICA- 
WISE, LOYAL AND TRUE— 

THIS LITTLE BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 
BY THE AUTHOR. 

MAY THEIR INFLUENCE ALWAYS BE IN 
FAVOR OF THE HIGHEST 
STANDARD OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER." 






-V/^ 





Pf^EpACE. 

This little story is the result of experi- 
ence, observation and heart to heart talks 
of the author with many whose hopes and 
lives have been blighted because of the 
existing evil, the liquor traffic. 


Cora E. Howe. 


s 


COHTErlTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I The Wedding. The Journey. The 

Reception. - -- -- -- -- g 

II Eden House. Wee Pilgrim. - - - 23 

III A Cloud. Eden Lost. 29 


I V A Rift in the Cloud. Eden Regained. 


39 




% 



} 






k 



I 


V 


( * 






tf'*' 
'■'* ' . 
• ' ^ 








« 


✓ 


t 




t 


. I * , 


V 



/ 

s 


I 



r- 




I 


t 


« 1 


». 


r 


r . 


1 



« 


> 








CHAPTER I. 


THE WEDDING. THE JOURNEY. THE RECEP- 
TION. 

morning, Miss Perkins! 
Somehow I can’t set myself to 
work this morning. Yon know 
to-morrow is Lylyan Holly’s 
wedding day and I heard yesterday that * 
the father of the young man she is to 
marry^ owns a large grape vineyard and 
that wine is drank as freely as water in 
the home. I couldn’t sleep a bit last night 
thinking over what that must mean to 
dear Lylyan. It can not be that the 
Hollys know of this, for if they did they 
surely would not consent to the marriage. 
You know Lylyan met him at college. 
’Tis said that he is a fine young man and 


I o The Pilgrims* Christ fttas 

that the young woman who weds Clinton 
Pilgrim gains wealth and position and you 
know that is a great deal in these days. 
That is the way the world looks at it, but 
somehow, ever since I heard about that 
vineyard and wine in the home I tremble 
for dear Lylyan’s future.” 

“I w'ouldn’t bother my head about that 
if I were you. Miss Lawson; time enough 
to worry when you get to the bridge. 
Surely Lylyan will never take wine and 
perhaps the young man does not.” 

“But he does drink it at home and else- 
where, I am told. It must be she is 
ignorant of these facts for a stronger 
temperance girl never lived. Now, Miss 
Perkins, our conversation must never be 
repeated, but mark my words, Lylyan 
Holly will see some dark days. ” 

The cosy little farm house just outside 
the village of S was a scene of un- 

usual merriment the morning of the wed- 
ding. Several of Lylyan’s college friends 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 


II 


as well as Clinton’s were present as this was 
the first wedding of the class. While 
there was a feeling of joy, there was one 
of deep thoughtfulness mingled with sad- 
ness as they realized their circle was be- 
ginning to break. The young women of the 
class were very fond of Lylyan, for while 
in college she gathered them about her 
every Saturday afternoon for Bible study. 
They looked upon her as their spiritual 
teacher and thought she would some day 
go as a Bible Reader to a foreign land; 
but Clinton Pilgrim had convinced her 
that her life should be linked to his. 

“He liad asked her to give all — 

Should he give less?” 

Lylyan never looked prettier. She was 
attired in a simple gown of white, her 
only adornment being lilies of the valley 
worn in her glossy black hair, a bunch of 
the same carried in her hand, and the bow 
of ribbon white upon her breast. To her 
young husband she was the fairest among 


1 2 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

women. When the hour came that Lylyan 
must go out from the dear old home where 
she had lived the happiest of maidens, it 
was the greatest struggle of her life. As 
father and mother pressed their loved one 
to their hearts their grief was too intense 
for words and the hot, fast falling tears 
were more than her heart could endure, so 
tenderly kissing them she slipped from 
their embrace without a word of farewell. 
The sound of the carriage wheels but in- 
tensified their grief and hurrying away into 
the library they sought relief from the 
Book of Life. 

“Read, wife, from the comfort chapter. ’’ 

Her eyes fell upon these words: “I will 
pray the Father and He shall give you 
another Comforter that He may abide 
with you forever. ” 

“Ah! wife, this is for us; our little 
earthly comfort could not always stay with 
us so Jesus sends another Comforter who 
will abide forever. ” 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 13 

Just then the train whistled and going 
to the door they see Lylyan from the car 
window waving her handkerchief. Hold- 
ing aloft the Comfort Book they wave it 
at her and she passes from their sight. 
Lylyan, too, had looked to the Comforter 
and her heart was lighter. 

4 : 4: 4: % % ^ 

After going a little way on their journey 
Clinton spied the knot of white ribbon. 
Said he: “May I ask, Lylyan, what that 
bow of white ribbon signifies? I noticed it 
in your latest photograph and wondered 
then.” 

“Do you not know, my dear, that is the 
badge of our Young Woman’s Christian 
Temperance Union?” 

“What! Do you belong to that?” 

“Most assuredly. Every young woman 
should. Do you not remember when our 
society was organized in college?” 

“I do remember teasing you about 


14 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

wearing that hnot of ribbon and I thought 
you left it olf. ” 

“I did not wear it on all occasions while 
at college, but since coming home have 
joined the village Union and now I always 
wear it.” Glancing at the chart and 
compass on his watch chain she playfully 
said, *‘I suppose you will always wear 
that Masonic badge?” 

“Do you think, Lylyan, you can wear it 
in our circle of friends?” 

“Why not? I trust I shall never be 
ashamed of the great principles back of 
the little knot of ribbon.” 

“Do you wish me to understand that 
wine will be refused by you on all occa- 
sions? My mother would think you odd, 
indeed; she considers it as harmless as 
milk and serves it freely when guests are 
present. ” 

Only God knew how the heart of this 
young bride was pierced as these words 
fell from her husband’s lips but a few 


k » 






'- i'-M#-' i -, Si, 


'i»»' 


k I. 1 




VA 'V 


• /• 



“Bress de Lawd, Mas’r Clinton, dat be de bes 
day dis yer o'e heart eber see. I be dar, suah 
I will.” (See Page 4.5) 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 1 5 

hours after their marriage^ Could it be 
that the man to whom she had just given 
herself for life had learned to love the 
wine cup in his mother’s home? True, she 
knew nothing of his home life. She did, 
however, know that some of the college 
boys drank wine, little dreaming though 
that Clinton was among them. As the 
evening shadows gathered about her they 
seemed but a symbol of the possible shad- 
ows that might come into her life in the 
coming years. What if father and mother 
knew that the husband of their only daugh- 
ter had been taught to drink wine from his 
mother’s hand ! Dreadful thoughts were 
crowding upon her. Could she ever tell 
them? Ah! never, for the knowledge would 
bring them to the grave. While musing in 
the twilight on these awful truths she felt 
she could not go farther with him whom she 
loved better than life. Her lips were 
sealed, but the tears coursing down her 
cheeks spoke more to him than volumes 


1 6 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

of words. He knew he had sorely wound- 
ed the heart of his bride and would have 
g-iven the world could he recall the pain 
he had caused her, but it was too late, he 
had deceived her. Could he give up wine ? 
No. It was harmless; his mother had 
always served it; he would dismiss the 
thought. 

^ :ic He ^ 

When the carriage stopped before the 
magnificent mansion of the Pilgrims, 
Lylyan was overwhelmed as she beheld its 
grandeur. Clinton had told her very little 
about his home, and upon entering it she 
wondered more and more how he came to 
choose a young woman in her humble 
circumstances to become his bride. She 
was, however, soon made to feel much at 
home amid these elegant surroundings, 
for the inmates of the home give ease and 
comfort more than fine tapestries and 
elaborate draperies. Clinton’s parents re- 
ceived her with open hearts for she was 


TJi-e Pilgrims' Christmas 17 

his choice among" many attractive young 
women. The fact that Clinton Pilgrim’s 
bride refused wine at the reception soon 
became known throughout the village and 
was the topic of conversation for busy 
gossips for some time. 

A young woman who attended the re- 
ception remarked to a friend : “I don’t see 
how any one would dare refuse wine at the 
home of the Pilgrims. Clinton must have 
been greatly embarrassed to say nothing 
of the embai*rassment of his proud father 
and mother. For my part / don’t see how 
Clinton Pilgrim ever came to marry such 
a temperance crank. I’m thinking if she 
lives with him and moves in his circle she 
will have to give up that notion and leave 
off that white ribbon, which, ’tis said, 
speaks her total abstinence principles. She 
will find her notions won’t work in this 
place. Wine drinking is too popular among 
the best class for one little woman to have 
any infiuence against it. They say she 


1 8 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

came from tlie Neal Dow state. No 
wonder she is a temperance crank. I felt 
just awfully for the Pilgrims that night. 
I dare say she is the first person who ever 
refused wine in their elegant home. To 
Clinton’s friends she said in that refusal, 
‘You may not expect wine served at my 
home.’ The gentlemen, I hear, were dis- 
cussing the matter at the last club meet- 
ing, expressing great sympathy for Clinton. 
I noticed he took more wine than usual. 
I suppose he did it to drown his humila- 
tion. I imagine his wife will have all the 
reform work she can attend to in her own 
home. No doubt she has scruples about 
dancing and card playing. All teetotalers 
do have. How Clinton Pilgrim came to 
maiTy a woman of such tastes is a mystery. 
I must admit, though, she has a charming 
presence. No doubt her college life gave 
the ease and dignity seemingly so natural. 
I never looked upon a purer face. I 
imagine she has always been with her 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 19 

mother at church and prayer meeting. 
There surely is something very — how shall 
I express it? Well, divine about her 
bearing. ” 

The young woman to whom all this 
criticism on the new bride had been ad- 
dressed, listened attentively and when the 
speaker had finished, remarked: “Well, 
Maud, I am glad you have concluded your 
severe criticism with something in the 
bride’s favor. To tell you my honest con- 
victions, the little woman completely 
captivated me by firmly holding to those 
principles that she believed right. There 
is not one young woman in a thousand 
who would not on such an occasion sacri- . 
fice principle rather than appear unpopu- 
lar. The guests must have been impressed 
with her strength of character. Surely, 
nothing like it ever happened in this place 
before. It is a solemn fact, Maud, there 
is too much wine drinking in our set. I 
should like to know more about that little 


20 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

knot of white ribbon she wore. You need 
not smile, I am getting serious for I be- 
lieve the time has come when the young 
women should take a decided stand against 
wine drinking and I for one am ready to 
do it.” 

Maud tossed her head lightly and 
laughed heartily saying, “I declare, Agnes, 
you are becoming altogether too serious 
to stay in our set. I expect the next time 
I see you you will have on a bow of white 
ribbon, too. I suppose if Clinton Pil- 
grim’s wife were to remain here you and 
she would have that white bow on all the 
girls.” 

“Now no joking, Maud, think over this 
matter seriously and I am sure if you do 
the amount of thinking I have done since 
the reception you will be ready to don the 
white ribbon, too.” 

“It is getting late,” said Maud. “I 
must go,” not wishing to prolong the 
conversation. 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 21 

‘‘But stay a moment,” said Agnes with 
tears in her eyes, “till you promise me 
you will give this matter some thought, at 
least. ” 

Even the tears of Agnes made no im- 
pression upon Maud. “No, Agnes, I can 
make no promises. I think after you sleep 
you will not be so ready for reform 
work. Let the missionaries who say they 
are called to this work attend to it. I, for 
one, am not called to this kind of work. 
Why, Agnes! First you know you will 
be traveling about lecturing in school 
houses. I imagine you now standing be- 
fore a well filled school house with that 
white ribbon on your dress preaching like 
some minister. I must go. Good night, 
Agnes. Just forget that white ribbon and 
begin planning for our next masquerade.” 
******* 

The temperance sentiment awakened in 
the heart of Agnes soon created a like 
sentiment among the society young women 


22 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

of Glenwood, of which she was leader, re- 
sulting in an organization whose influence 
is without parallel. 



The Pilgrims' Christmas 


23 


CHAPTER II. 

EDEN HOUSE. WEE PILGRIM. 

FTER several weeks following 
the reception Clinton Pilgrim 
and his bride went to their new 

home in the city of L where 

he had been engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness for two years. 

Proud of the home he had provided for 
his bride, the young husband escorted her 
through its handsomely furnished apart- 
ments with the dignity becoming a king 
and why should he not, for was not 
Lylyan his own little queen to abide with 
him and share this Eden of beauty? Here 
they would entertain the best of the land 
and she would be the center of attraction. 
As they went from room to room she felt 



24 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

like the Queen of Sheba, who came from 
a far country to behold the glory of Solo- 
mon’s temple, and when asked if this met 
her heart’s desire tears of unspeakable 
joy filled her eyes and looking up into her 
husband’s face she remarked, “I have 
been thinking of the words of Sheba’s 
queen, ‘The half was never told me.’ 
Why did you not choose a bride of wealth 
and position? This should be the abode 
of a queen.” 

“Never, my dear,” said Clinton, “speak 
of this again. A more lovely queen than 
mine was never born. I count myself the 
happiest of men to have won a prize like 
you, and only hope that you will never 
regret leaving the cosy farm home. ” 

These words meant a great deal to 
Lylyan. She believed his love for her 
was stronger than for wine. The wine 
question had not been discussed since 
their wedding day. Nothing had ever 
been said of Lylyan’s refusal of it at the 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 25 

reception. She believed her husband had 
resolved never to take it again. 

The dear old colored servant, Aunt 
Mandy, who had lived with the Pilgrims 
since Clinton was five years old, went with 
Mas’r Clinton to his new home. She had 
cared for him many years and loved him 
as fondly as she loved her own little 
woolly heads that were torn from her 
breast when she was a slave in the South 
Land. Her dear old face was a benedic- 
tion in the home. Although she had been 
a slave many years and all her dear ones 
were cruelly torn from her heart, yet her 
childlike trust in God made her joyous 
and happy. The plantation melodies she 
had learned in childhood delighted all who 
heard her. Clinton was never happier 
than when his friends were gathered about 
him with Aunt Mandy to sing and tell 
stories. She always concluded her stories 
by saying with a trembling voice, “Ah, 
chillens, dem was happy days when I libed 


26 The Pilgrims’ Christmas 

in de little log cabin, de sunflowers 
growin’ by de door and de boys and de 
girls workin’ in de cotton and de corn 
from morn till night. Den when de moon 
was up and de stars shinin’ bright de 
darkeys all went to de church and sing 
and pray wid all der might. Oh, my 
chillens, dem was de bes’ days dis yer 
heart eber knowed and now dey gone till 
Gabriel blow his trumpet in de mornin’. 
Den we’ll meet togedder around de big 
white throne neber more to hear de auc- 
tioneer poundin’ wid de hammer sellin’ 
our own flesh and blood so we can’t see 
dem more. ” 

Four years sped swiftly by. Clinton 
had paid strict attention to business but 
spent most of his evenings at the club and 
was seldom seen with Lylyan at church. 
*«•«:**** 

No, baby Pilgrim was not a Christmas 
baby, for he came the day before. The 
house was decorated with the choicest 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 2 7 

branches of holly that could be found in 
the city. Even before he came the little 
nest in which he was to slumber was 
ready for him, it having been the one his 
papa used to sleep in. It was of white oak 
with gilt trimmings. Grandma Pilgrim 
said it must go with Clinton to his new 
home and be ready when the wee birdlings 
should come into the nest. On Christmas 
morning the nurse decorated it with dainty 
branches of holly, bringing it into Lylyan’s 
room and placing it beside her, she laid 
the wee Pilgrim in his own little nest. 
The proud father imagined his boy would 
soon need a chair at the table and before 
the day was over ordered one sent to the 
house with a tray and knife and fork, tell- 
ing Aunt Mandy to place them by his 
plate at the table and to keep the high 
chair ready for the little Pilgrim to use 
when his age would permit, which to him 
seemed no far distant day. 

Aunt Mandy declared the baby should 


28 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

be called Holly for she said: “Dem bright 
little eyes was as sweet as de holly berry, 
dem feet an’ hands as graceful as de 
branches dat fluttered on de trees in de 
breezes and dat he had a right to de name 
for his mudder’s was Holly, de sweetest 
name in all de airth, des like herself, who 
allers looks like a lily jest bio wed out, so 
pure and sweet. ” 

All agreed with Aunt Mandy that his 
name should be Holly. Lylyan was happy 
with her new treasure and doubly so for 
since his advent her husband had spent a 
few less hours at the club. When the new 
mother felt the first clasp of the tiny 
fingers she said to herself, “What a good, 
true woman I must be. ” 

‘ ‘A partnership with God is motherhood. 

What strength, what purity, what self control, 
What love, what wisdom should belong to her 
Who helps God fashion an immortal soul !” 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 


29 


CHAPTER III. 

A CLOUD. EDEN LOST. 

OLLY is now a bright boy three 
years of age. The pink in 
Lylyan’s cheek has faded and 
in her face the pitiful story of 
the heartaches and sorrows of the drunk- 
ard’s wife are clearly seen. Her husband 
is so fascinated with club life that his 
business suffers, but Lylyan little dreams 
that his late hours mean more than card 
playing and drinking wine with club 
friends; that he is found among expert 
gamblers would be knowledge too hard 
for her to bear. Yes, a cloud has been 
hanging over the home many, many 
months. 

One evening he came home more under 



30 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

the influence of liquor than she had ever 
seen him, greatly agitated and burying his 
face in his hands weeping^. he said, “Oh! 
Lylyan, everything’s got to go. We are 
undone forever. ” He had just been play- 
ing and lost heavily. 

Just then little Holly, who was ready 
for bed, came running for his good night 
kiss and said, “Don’t cry, papa, every- 
thing won’t go tause I won’t go and leave 
oo and mamma.” Putting his chubby 
hands on his face said in a tender tone, 
“Me won’t go, papa. Me stay wiv oo.” 

Lylyan was brave, though she knew not 
how, and calmly remarked: “My dear, 
there is great comfort in our darling’s 
reasoning. We can better lose all than 
him and each other. ‘Hope,’ you know, 
‘is an anchor to the soul,’ and ‘Every 
cloud has a silver lining. ’ Let us look for 
it.” 

Yes, it was a true picture that Clinton 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 31 

Pilgrim saw in his delirium. In a few days 
everything was sold at sheriff's sale and they 
were soon located at the west end of the 
city in two small rooms. Aunt Mandy 
must seek a new home. The one desire of 
her heart had been to spend her last days 
with Mas’r Clinton. As she bade them 
good bye with tears streaming down her 
old black face she said: “De good Lawd 
bress yees and may ye never be hungry. " 
Catching up Holly she kissed him over 
and over and said: “May de Lawd keep 
ye pure an’ sweet, honey.” 

Lylyan found a friend in Mrs. Washing- 
ton, the evangelistic superintendent of 
the W. C. T. U. with whom she had been 
associated in temperance and church work. 
And now in those shadowy days she 
proved a friend in need, helping to secure 
a class in music for Lylyan, which 
saved them from suffering, for Clinton 
had no steady employment; he would 
secure a position as book-keeper, only to 


3 a The Pilgrims' Christmas 

lose it in a few days because of the wine 
cup. 

Aunt Mandy secured a home near by 
where she worked for her board and when 
Lylyan was out giving lessons she came 
and cared for Holly. He was a very pre- 
cocious child, nothing escaping his obser- 
vation. One day as Lylyan came up the 
walk she discovered their diplomas, or 
“ ’plomas” as Holly called them, hanging 
in each window. 

He came running to meet her and said: 
“See, mamma, how nice your 'plomas 
look in the windows. " 

“Yes, my dear, but why did you hang 
them there?” 

His bright, lustrous eyes danced with 
delight as he said: “You know, mamma, 
that nice big house on the comer, there’s 
a ’ploma in the window. I guess only 
one in that house went to college like you 
and papa, for only one ’ploma is in the 
window. I guess they want folks to know 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 33 

that somebody lives there has been to 
college so they put the ’ploma in the 
window and I thought you and papa would 
want folks to know you had been to col- 
lege so I put them in the window. I guess 
they are rich folks in that big house for 
they drive such nice horses and have lots 
of company. I see nice young men go 
in there every day. Guess they have 
banquets there like you and papa used to 
go to. It is all lit up so pretty, so many 
pretty big bottles on the shelf. Guess 
they have camphor in so if anybody has 
headache they can use it. ” 

Lylyan listened to the little reasoner 
without explaining that the bottles con- 
tained that which caused head and heart 
aches instead of allaying pain. 

He continued: “I guess the man didn’t 
go to the same college you and papa did, 
for his 'ploma* ain’t so large and pretty as 
yours and there’s great big figures in the 
•Liquor license. 


34 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

middle of it. Say, mamma, what is that 
big eagle* on the corner of the house for? 
It must cost lots of money. I wish we 
had one on our house, don’t you?” 

One morning while Holly was playing 
upon the street a little boy said to 
him, “Your papa is a bad, wicked drunk- 
ard.” 

He immediately ran to his mamma 
broken hearted and told her what he had 
heard. The shadow had now come into 
Holly’s little life, that dread hour when 
he must know that his papa was indeed a 
drunkard. 

Often did Lylyan look upon him as he 
lay quietly sleeping when waiting the 
home coming of Clinton late into the night 
and breathed a prayer that he might not 
inherit the appetite that had mastered his 
father. She would not fail on her part 
to teach him that self mastery over one’s 
appetites and desires was the greatest 

♦The beer sign. 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 


35 


achievement of a life and that it 'was only 
obtained by implicit reliance upon God. 

One evening Clinton came home more 
intoxicated than usual. Holly stole 
quietly to his side and said: “Papa, you 
ain’t a bad, wicked drunkard, be you? 
Johnnie Hill said you was.” 

This enraged him and for the first time 
he gave his little boy a blow across his 
back with a chair, which laid him pros> 
trate. Lylyan, thinking him dead, screamed 
and fainted. A neighbor, hearing the cry, 
came in and immediately summoned a 
physician. Clinton was at once arrested 
and taken to jail. Lylyan was soon re- 
stored to consciousness but it was feared 
Holly would not survive; the physician 
said if he did he would be a cripple for life. 
On hearing this Lylyan fainted again and 
for several hours was oblivious to all about 
her. Hearing her name mentioned by 
Mrs. Washington at midnight she opened 
her eyes and faintly whispered: “Is my 


36 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

baby living. Where is Clinton, oh! tell 
me!” 

When she realized that Mrs. Washing- 
ton was with her she seemed more quiet. 
The knowledge of Clinton being in jail 
again caused her to faint. The physician 
looked anxiously at Holly, then at the 
mother, then at Mrs. Washington. The 
pulse of both was hardly preceptible. The 
long hours of the night were breathed 
away in earnest, agonizing prayer by the 
physician and Mrs. Washington. When 
the morning light stole in at the window 
Lylyan awakened out of a deep sleep with 
a restful look in her eye. Toward even- 
ing the little sufferer cried out in his de- 
lirium, “Oh! mamma dear, I am here all 
right. Don’t cry, for it wasn’t papa that 
hurt me; it was the club.” 

Lylyan had told him that no little boy 
had a better papa than he had until he 
went to the club, so this thought was 
constantly running in his mind through 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 37 

the long- weary days of intense suffering. 
“Tell him, mamma, he didn’t kill his 
little boy. Oh! mamma, can’t the clubs 
be stopped so no more little boys will be 
hurt by their papas?” 

Lylyan began to recover from the terri- 
ble shock and in a few days was about 
administering to Holly. How she longed 
to see Aunt Mandy during these dark days 
but she had lost all trace of her, as the 
people she lived with had moved many 
miles away. 

When the news reached Grandma Pil- 
grim that Clinton’s business and home 
were gone it was all she could bear, but 
when she learned of his arrest and of 
Holly’s condition her physician feared that 
reason would be dethroned. Her husband 
died the year following Clinton’s marriage 
and after the estate was settled only her 
home was left. 

The question of wine drinking became a 
very serious one as she lay prostrate in 


38 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

bed thinking of her only boy in jail brought 
there, yes, brought there, by taking the 
first glass at his mother’s table. This 
awful thought so stirred her being that 
sleep would not come to her eyelids until 
she had promised God to forever banish 
wine from her table and had resolved to 
use her influence against it. But the poor 
stricken woman lived only a few days ; the 
shock was so great that she had not vitality 
sufficient to rally. After the funeral ex- 
penses were paid there were several hun- 
dred dollars left for Clinton. The doctor 
said Lylyan must move into better rooms 
where Holly could have the sunlight and 
they moved into a cosy little house just 
before Thanksgiving. 



(S3ePage49) THE CHRISTMAS DINNER. 







The Pilgrims* Christmas 


39 


CHAPTER IV. 

A RIFT IN THE CLOUD. EDEN REGAINED. 

EVERAL weeks later as Mrs. 
Washington visits the jail she 
conies to a man lying in bed 
seemingly very ill. As she 
talks with him she discovers that he is 
passing through deep mental suffering. 
Taking a seat by his cot she said: “You 
are very ill, my brother. I have some 
flowers for you. ” 

They spoke to him of days gone by and 
caused the tears to course rapidly down 
his pale cheeks. Kneeling by his side she 
offered a simple prayer commending him 
to God, asking Him to take the burden 
that was weighing so heavily upon his 
heart. She arose, her face beaming with 



40 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 


a heaven born joy which seemed to carry 
a message of pardon from the heart of God 
to this struggling soul. 

With tones that carried the message into 
the depths of his heart she said: “Come 
unto me all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden and I will give you rest. ” Taking 
his feverish hand she said: “You can trust 
Jesus now can you not, my brother?” 

Tears of penitence came faster and faster 
but a change came over his countenance 
that assured the messenger of an inward 
peace not to be expressed in words. She 
slipped quietly away leaving him alone 
with God who had spoken pardon to his 
soul. But Lylyan — could he know she had 
forgiven him? Would she ever give him a 
place in her heart again since that awful 
night? The dreadful scene was constantly 
before him, his only boy and Lylyan lying 
upon the floor apparently cold in death. 

brother^" would this new friend call 
him brother if she knew alP. The flowers^ 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 41 

they were Lylyan’s favorite flower. She 
carried them the day they were wed. He 
would always keep them. No! he would 
send them to Lylyan. He would ask her 
who brought them to search her out, take 
them to her and plead her forgiveness. 
Now he could sleep for he saw a ray of 
hope. In his dreams a new life opened 
before him — manhood and hope restored, 
a happy home, Lylyan and little Holly its 
chief ornaments. In this dream the club 
had no place but instead he saw himself in 
the house of God delighting in its services. 

As Mrs. Washington approached his 
room in the morning she remarked: “I 
see you are much better. 

“Yes, I am indeed. The best night’s 
sleep came to me last night that I have 
had in a long time and I had a very happy 
dream Oh, that it were true! If you 
will listen I will tell it to you, for I know 
you were sent here to help me. There is 
a cloud hanging over me that I am sure 


42 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

you can help remove and let the sunlight 
into my life.” 

“I should be glad to listen to your story 
but I must now hasten to see a dear sor- 
rowing woman whose little boy is very ill, 
caused by a blow from a drunken father. 
The little sufferer may now be in heaven. ” 
In an instant the color came into his 
face, his whole being trembled, great 
drops of sweat stood out upon his brow. 
Clasping his hands tightly he exclaimed : 
“Oh! my God! Do tell me, is it Lylyan? 
Have I killed my darling?” 

Dropping upon her knees Mrs. Wash- 
ington said: “Let us look to the Father in 
prayer, my brother. The doctor says the 
change will soon come. ” 

After prayer he was more quiet. As 
Mrs. Washington started to leave he 
handed her the flowers for Lylyan and 
with tears in his eyes said: “Plead my 
pardon in His name. Tell her that her 
prayers are answered, the past is forgiven. 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 43: 

and oh ! bring me word that my boy lives. ” 

When Mrs. Washington reached the bed- 
side of the little sufferer the physician and 
Lylyan were bending over him. The 
countenance of the physician lightened as 
he remarked: “There is a ray of hope. 
Your boy may yet be restored, but to be a 
cripple for life. ” 

As Mrs. Washington entered Clinton's 
cell the following morning she found him 
reading his Bible. His face brightened at 
the good news but when he was told that 
Holly must be a cripple for life, a shadow 
darkened it again. But to know that 
Lylyan had forgiven him and that in a 
few weeks he could go home was a joy 
unutterable. 

Several days later Clinton was working 
in the jailer’s garden when, glancing 
toward the kitchen window, he saw a face 
of ebony looking out. Suddenly the door 
opened and behold. Aunt Mandy rushed 
out before him. 


44 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 


“Lor bress ye, Mas’r Clinton what be 
ye doin’ here, workin’s if ye belong here?” 

He dropped the hoe and took her ex- 
tended hand, but could only shed tears 
which stood like great white beads upon 
her old black hand. 

“Lor sakes! what be the matter wid ye, 
Mas’r Clinton? Can’t ye talk no more? 
Be ye dumb? How’s Missus and de Holly 
branch?” 

The tears came faster and faster. Aunt 
Mandy wiped her own eyes with a red 
bandanna, leaving flour in streaks upon her 
face, for she was mixing bread when she 
caught sight of Clinton. After some mo- 
ments he could only say: “I can’t tell you 
all now. Aunt Mandy. It would break 
your heart to know.” 

“Why, chile! be they dead?” 

“I thought they were. Aunt Mandy, but 
they’re all right now. When I go home 
you must come and we’ll read in the Good 
Book and pray together. ” 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 45 

“Bress de Lawd, Mas’r Clinton, dat be 
de bes day dis yer ole heart eber see. I 
be dar, suah I will. ” 

The first visit Holly makes after his long- 
confinement is at the home of Mrs. Wash- 
ington. Returning upon the street car a 
fine looking gentleman sitting near him 
remarked: “My little man, how is it that 
you carry a crutch? I am sorry for you.” 

The stranger saw at once that there was 
a sad reason as the color came rapidly to 
his face and with tears filling his big blue 
eyes a trembling voice said: “I — wish 
— you — would — n’t — ask — me — mister — 
for — my — papa — did — n’t do it. It was 
the clubs and the ’plomas you see in the 
windows in the nice big houses all lit up 
so bright, where the big bottles shine on 
the shelf and the big eagle’s on the corner 
of the house where so many boys’ papas 
go.” 

These strange remarks awakened a 
deeper interest in the listener’s heart. In 


46 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

a moment Holly’s confidence was gained 
and he was ready to unfold the secret of 
his little heart to his new friend. Looking 
straight into his eyes he plaintively said 
after giving a sigh: “Mister, oh! mister, 
if you’ve got a little boy and love him 
don’t go to the club nor to them places 
where the ’plomas hang in the window 
and the big eagle’s on the corner for you 
might some time hurt your little boy when 
you didn’t know it as my papa did. But 
he’s been dreadful sorry and sick, too, in a 
great big house where some men took him 
cause he hurt me so bad that night and 
now he loves Jesus and prays to him and 
Mrs. Washington, the nice lady that wears 
the white ribbon (I’ve just been to her 
house) she goes to places where men stay 
that have done wrong. She found my 
papa one day and gave him some flowers 
and prayed with him and told him Jesus 
would forgive him and now he is a good 
man and he’s coming home Christmas 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 47 

morning. We don’t live in the nice big 
house we used to for when my papa went 
to the club and to them big houses we lost 
our home and now me and mamma lives 
in a little house and the nice lady who took 
flowers to papa brings us things to eat and 
mamma teaches some little girls how to 
play on the piano. My Grandma Holly 
don’t know how poor we be, for she’d cry 
so mamma don’t want her to know. My 
grandpa died when I was so sick and my 
grandma is coming to live "with us for my 
mamma is all the girl she’s got. She’s 
coming before Christmas, too.” 

His eyes sparkled with delight as he 
said: “We’ll have the splendidest Christ- 
mas we ever had. I don’t believe mam- 
ma’ll cry as she did last Christmas for papa 
came home from the club awful sick and 
mamma helped him go to bed and he 
talked in his sleep about men getting his 
money and woke me up. He looked so 
queer I was afraid ; but mamma says we 


48 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

must forget all about that, for he won’t do 
so any more. Mrs. Washington says he 
reads his Bible now and talks with Jesus 
and my mamma’ll be so glad for her papa 
read in the Bible and talked with Jesus 
every morning. She said she never would 
have lived through them awful days when 
papa went to the club if she hadn’t talked 
with Jesus all the time. Don’t you think 
we’ll have the best Christmas in the world. 
Oh! mister, I wish you’d come, too.” 

The stranger, who had listened with 
moistened eyes, resolved that he would 
have a part in the little cripple’s Christ- 
mas. When they parted he gave him a 
ten dollar bill and said: “Take this, my 
little man, to your mother. ” 

The stranger had not only been a bless- 
ing to his confiding little friend, but he 
had been taught from this heaven sent 
messenger a lesson never to be forgotten. 
He never again entered the door of the 
new club room just opened by the business 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 49 

men in the city. Giving his card to Holly 
he told him to call at his office some day 
with his papa. 

To describe Christmas at the Pilgrims’ 
humble home could be done only by the 
pen of an angel, for human eyes could not 
look into the hearts of these dear ones 
united as never before. The Christ child 
who came to bring peace had cemented 
these hearts as one. There was more 
heaven born joy on this memorable Christ- 
mas day than had ever been realized when 
the anniversaries came to them in Eden 
home. None enjoyed the day more than 
Aunt Mandy. The turkey given by Mrs. 
Washington was all she could carry from 
the oven to the table. 

After the family had retired Clinton and 
Lylyan sat by the fireside in silence ; there 
seemed to be something yet to be said be- 
fore their Christmas was completed. The 
door bell rang, a box of lilies of the valley 
was sent in by wise Mrs. Washington who 


50 The Pilgrims' Christmas 

well knew they would have a mission. 
Together they wept over the lilies in 
silence for some moments. They were 
living in the buried past. Taking Lylyan’s 
hand in his they knelt by their darling’s 
little bed baptizing his little crutches with 
their fast falling tears. The moments 
were too sacred for words. Each seemed 
to understand it. Heart communed with 
heart as only those who are taught of the 
Lord. 

After some moments Clinton prayed 
with trembling voice, choked many times 
by tears and sobs. “Oh, God! You know 
all about the past. We want to forget it. 
You know how cruel I have been to 
Lylyan and our baby. ” Here he wept as 
if his heart would break. “Oh, God! You 
know how our lives began to grow apart 
because I would not listen to your voice 
when I heard you say, ‘This is the way, 
walk ye in it.’ Oh, God! You know how 
I went on in sin breaking Lylyan’s heart, ” 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 5 1 

and wringing his hands in agony he said, 
“and oh! that last awful deed! Oh, my 
God! Thou wilt pardon.” Realizing as 
never before as he looked at Lylyan, then 
upon the face of the little sleeper how he 
had failed to act well the part of husband 
and father, he entered into a covenant 
with the Lord which by His grace he was 
enabled to keep, though sometimes sorely 
tested during the remaining years of his 
life. 

The day before New Years Holly and 
his papa called at the office of their new 
friend. As a result Clinton was given a 
position as book-keeper and rendering 
very acceptable service was finally pro- 
moted to a partnership. The life long 
wish of Aunt Mandy was granted to spend 
her last days with Mas’r Clinton, who 
cared for her as tenderly as though she 
had been his own mother. In a few years 
Eden home came back to them and here 
we leave the happy Pilgrims. And but 


52 


The Pilgrims' Christmas 

for the shadow of that awful night their 
sky would be as clear as the noon day sun. 


The End. 



'k 


1 . 



• »• 




% 


I 


* I 



# • 

♦ . 






k 






library of 


CONGRESS 


